Orange County Transportation Authority

Transit Briefs: SEPTA, Metra, OCTA, Alto HSR Project

The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) reaches a tentative contract agreement with Transport Workers Union (TWU) 234. Also, Metra’s Operation North Pole (ONP) Christmas train returns to the rails, and the agency opens its online merchandise store; the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) releases the 2025 update of its Next 10 Delivery Plan; and Alto’s Toronto-Quebec City HSR (high-speed rail) project likely won’t connect to Union Station.

Transit Briefs: DART, OC Streetcar, Denver RTD

Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) releases its first Point B Strategic Plan Annual Report. Also, the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) tests a new electric OC Streetcar ahead of its 2026 launch; and the Denver Regional Transportation District (RTD) launches a near-term plan to enhance the customer experience and increase transit utilization.

The OCTA Board on June 9 approved a balanced budget of $1.74 billion for the upcoming fiscal year. Last month, it unveiled the first Siemens Mobility S700 (pictured) for the 4.15-mile OC Streetcar system, which is slated to launch next spring. (OCTA Photograph)

Transit Briefs: Caltrain, OCTA, State of California, DART, MDOT

Caltrain Board signs off on Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 operating and capital budgets. Also, Orange County (Calif.) Transportation Authority (OCTA) outlines budget for upcoming fiscal year; California Senate and Assembly reach agreement to fund public transit, averting “mass service cuts”; Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) in Texas pioneers transportation-agency participation in tax increment reinvestment zones across service-area cities; and Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) awards $1.25 million in transit-oriented development (TOD) grants.

(Image Courtesy of BNSF)
  • News

People News: BNSF, Port NOLA, OCTA, Cummins, ASLRRA

BNSF announces five executive-level changes. Also, Port of New Orleans (Port NOLA) hires a Vice President of External Affairs/Chief of Staff; Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) appoints an Executive Director of Planning, plus a Director of Transportation Planning and Analysis; Cummins Inc. names a Chief Administrative Officer and Corporate Secretary; and American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) welcomes a new Manager of IT Systems and Database Management.

CalSTA: $1.3B for 27 Rail and Transit Projects

The California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA) recently announced that $1.3 billion from the Transit and Intercity Capital Rail Program (TIRCP) funded by the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (cap-and-trade) will go to 27 projects following a statewide competitive grant application process for Cycle 7, according to a Streetsblog California report.

Transit Briefs: MBTA, OCTA

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) completes critical track work on the Orange Line. Also, the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) seeks public input on its 2024 OC Transit Vision Master Plan.

(San Diego MTS)

Transit Briefs: San Diego MTS, OCTA, LA Metro

Affirmed Housing and the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) celebrate the completion of a new transit-oriented development. Also, the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) completes its 2024 Climate Adaptation and Sustainability Plan (CASP); and LA Metro releases its Final Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the Eastside Transit Corridor Phase 2 project.

Maryland DOT MTA has reached an agreement with the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1300 to decrease the amount of time it takes for rail and bus operators to achieve higher pay rates and ultimately advance to the top rate for their jobs.

Transit Briefs: Maryland DOT MTA, MBTA, NYMTA, OCTA, WMATA

The Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Transit Administration (Maryland DOT MTA) updates its rail and bus operator pay structure to boost recruitment. Also, Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) submits a revised track worker safety plan to the Federal Transit Administration (FTA); New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) will test safety doors on subway platforms; Orange County (Calif.) Transportation Authority (OCTA) unveils a $57.3 billion long-range transportation plan; and Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) launches income-qualified reduced fare program.

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